Michael R

Hi Ostrosky, I have one of these weapons of standard cavalry pattern, however it is not marked to a cavalry regiment but to a Royal Engineer unit! Must be incorrect? However, the RE mounted detachment, who supported the cavalry under the title "11 Field Company of 1 RE Squadron", was formed in 1885, serving in the Egyptian War and in circa 1894 was established as part of the Cavalry Division. The unit was retitled the "Mounted Detachment RE". During the Boer War it was again renamed "1st Field Troop RE". The mounted RE went on to serve during World Wars 1 and 2 and, I believe, there after. The sword details are: 1. Enfield produced pattern 1899 Cavalry Trooper's Sword. 2. Numerous Ordnance Marks (OM). 3. Blade markings: a. Spine: "?/99". b. Obverse: ricasso, "arrow over EFD" and "OM over X". c. Reverse: ricasso, "00 over OM, '00 along side OM, '01 and ' 08". total number of OM is 5. 4. Hilt markings: a. Spine: "50". b. Lower outer basket "EFD over OM". c. Lower inner basket "6/05 over I.S.L. or 1.S.L. over RE over 5". Your P1864 sword was a forerunner my P1899 and given that the first mounted RE unit was formed in 1885, it is likely that they were first issued with P1864 swords or, as an alternative suggestion, perhaps the P1864 swords were withdrawn from service and re-hilted hence the lack of specimens available today? Not a lot of help but I hope interesting? Cheers Mike R

Hi, Whist I concur with all of the comments above, I have one further suggestion which is a possible answer to your question. Judging by the apparent defacing of initials on the reverse of the hilt, in Photograph 2, it could be a captured weapon reissued to one of the German reserve cavalry regiments and numbered in the regimental stock series for issue. The number then being subsequently erased following the German defeat in 1918????????? I have a Chassepot with a full German Landwehr regimental stock number and most of the French stampings erased. This was a customary concept with captured weaponry in both World Wars. Just a thought!! Regards Mike R

They are a blank to me! regards Mike

Hi, This is a very nice, high quality Imperial Army sword normally associated with the Uhlan Lancers cavalry force. The obverse langet worn by regular cavalry regiments comprises a pair of crossed sabres and for artillery regiments, a pair of crossed cannon. Your langet incorporates crossed sabres (cavalry) plus crossed lances. the sword hilt is loosely based on the hilt of the British 1796 and German Blucher sabres. The reverse langet usually comprises a foliage pattern and or a monogram panel. From what I can see of the reverse Langet, I would suggest that the blade manufacturer is probably the WKC Firm of Solingen. The German army allowed these Imperial swords to be carried post 1933. I hope that this is of some help to you Regards and best wishes Mike R

H Terry, The photograph appears to be that of King Hussein of Jordan wearing a Jordanian Army general officer's field uniform. The King died several years ago. I hope this helps your investigation!!!! Regards and best wishes Mike

Hi, Some years ago, I visited friends on the Dutch/German border and was introduced to a guy who was into battlefield archeology. I purchased several items from his loft to includ a Luftwaffe Grave Marker. He found it in a bunker under a pile of rubbish. The marker reads Flugzeugfuhrer Uff. hans Muller 3/Erg.Gr.5 (Ju88) geb.5.3.1912-gest.24.3.1941 The whole surmounted by a Christian cross. I am now tying to do a bit of research on the person named and his unit and am wondering if anyone can identify the unit, its function and where it may have been operating around March 1941. A big ask but hopefully, someone may have some information. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Regards Michael R Hi Again, A photo of the above mentioned Grave Marker.

Thanks again Gordon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers Michael

Hi Gordon, Very many thanks for your informative and most useful message and photographs. I haven't been on the Forum for a few years and when I am sent such useful information I cannot help but wonder why? Greatly appreciated!! With thanks, regards and best wishes Michael

Hi All, The equipment case was purchased some time ago and all I can remember is that it was designed to carry a specialist instrument. It measures 22 x 15 x 30.5 cm. The lid is marked "Li S?or 80 O". The inside of the lid is marked "Zelle onen!". The case body is stamped "BLC" followed by a Waffen Ampt stamp. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Additional photos!

Hi, A bit late but possibly of interest to you. Socks were, up to the early sixties, a status symbol in the RAF!! All non commissioned ranks of the RAF wore mid grey woolen socks or to give them their correct RAF tile, "stockings". Officer ranks and Warrant Officers wore black socks. It was the same for gloves, officers wore brown, ORs wore blue/grey. The British Army have similar idiosyncrasies with shoes, Officers and WO 1s wear brown and WO2 and below wear black??? Other than status, there is possibly a logic behind these differences but your guess is as good as mine!! Cheers Michael

Hi Stump, I wholly concur with the opinion given by both Simon and Peter and would only add that as a usually private purchase item, without a manufacturer's name or logo, these daggers are very hard to 100% identify but good look in trying!! Cheers Michael

Hi Karsten, Whilst I fully agree with Peter and would suggest that neither is of military issue or use, the close up of the button strongly suggests, at least to me, that they are livery uniform tunics as the but is livery bearing a baronial or similar coronet and is in the common silver finish rather than the more usual brass/gold military finish? Hope this gives you another avenue to investigate. Cheers Michael

Hi, The badge is very attractive and well made. Other than the central device, the letter "R", it conforms precicely with the pre 1953 RN officer pattern cap badge and I would suggest, not a fashion item. I have a number of shipping line officer's cap badges in my own collection and several are ensigned by either the "Kings" or "Queens" crown rather the usual Merchant Navy "Navaliis Corona" style crown. The letter "R" is most likely to be the initial of the line's title or founder etc. Although I have not encountered this particular badge before, I feel pretty certain that it is a good badge of nautical origin. Although not proof, I hope that my input is of help. Cheers Michael PS, I will have a look through my references on Merchant Navy Flag and funnel logos to try and ID it for you.

Hi Alf, Thank you for your comments. Yes, I do have other Flag, General and Air rank stuff so if you give me an idea of what you would like to look at, I'll start a thread. Cheers for now Michael Hi Paul, Thank you for showing your MD jacket. I have sent you a couple of messages. Cheers Michael